But first, some of my other Christmas favorite read alouds. This year, I included my favorite old-fashioned stories that are easily found and are easy to download and really inexpensive.
Since President Monson mentioned "The Mansion" by Henry Van Dyke in conference, it has been taking the world by storm. Nothing wrong with that, but don't get caught buying a new expensive copy from Deseret Book. The story is in the public domain, so it is free for Kindle, you can find it in full several places on the web, or you can buy an inexpensive copy at Amazon. (I printed my first one several years ago from a website. It is about 25 pages printed.) I love this story! "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens is also a great story, but do you really know anyone who is a true Scrooge? There were many people just like him in Dickens's England. At that time, Christmas wasn't widely celebrated and many people wanted it ignored. In our time, however, the character of Scrooge is really nonexistant. However, there are many of us that are like John Weightman of "The Mansion", or at least partly like him. He is a good man. He gives to charities, he is generous with his wealth. But, why? What is in it for him? This story is easy to read aloud (or to yourself) in about 45 minutes and will lead to a wonderful discussion about service and why we do it. Also, about serving our Lord.
"The Birds Christmas Carol" by Kate Douglas Wiggin is another great read-aloud. It is also easy to find for download or for Kindle. It will get your children into the mood of Christmas and its true meaning as well. This book is NOT about birds. The little girl in the story's name is Carol Bird. This book was written in 1912, so it is old-fashioned and fun. Both of these books would make a welcome addition to a holiday evening in which a spirit of Christmas is wanted.
Those of you who know me well, know that Louisa May Alcott is one of my very favorite authors. I have a collection of her Christmas stories that I love. They are short stories that stand alone, so you can read one here and there, or you find som of them individually. I have "The Quiet Little Woman" in an individual book.
Now, the book I read yesterday I found and ordered just this last week. I can't remember for anything why or where it was recommended, but I loved it! It is not old-fashioned in the fact that it was first published in 1994, but it covers a great deal of history. Let me tell you a little bit about "The Autobiography of Santa Claus" which I will be reading aloud to my children next year. Author Jeff Guinn spent time with St. Nicholas helping him write his autobiography. It is truly a history book that follows Santa from his beginnings as a boy in Lycia (modern day Turkey) to the Santa Claus we know today. The story weaves his experiences in the countries of Europe and America with the traditional Christmas traditions as they evolve and advance. It is 2 parts history and one part magic, and I truly enjoyed th story! It is a great history book and includes mini-biographical information on many historical figures who helped Nicholas along the way including Atilla the Hun, Charlemagne, Arthur of Briton, Francis of Assisi, Benjamin Franklin, and Theodore Roosevelt. I loved the book so much, I ordered the sequels, "How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas" and "The Great Santa Search". I hope the next stories are as fantastic as this one turned out to be.
Once again, Merry Christmas and happy reading!
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